Today, I am announcing a meningococcal group B immunisation programme to protect those at highest immediate risk of MenB disease this autumn.
Meningococcal disease is a serious but uncommon illness caused by meningococcal bacteria. It can lead to meningitis—inflammation of the lining of the brain—and sepsis. Meningococcal disease is life-threatening and can result in life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss, and brain damage. It is fatal in around 10% of cases. There are multiple strains of meningococcal bacteria, including MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, and MenY. The NHS already offers the MenB vaccine to infants and the MenACWY vaccine to adolescents and young adults.
Earlier this year, we saw the fastest growing and largest MenB outbreak ever seen in the UK in Kent and there have been more MenB clusters than normal this year, some of which have been larger than normal. There is therefore significant uncertainty about the level of risk MenB poses this year, with it being plausible that the bacteria are now more likely to cause disease. I have asked the department to undertake further work to better understand whether the clinical risk has changed.
During the outbreak earlier this year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which provides expert independent advice on our vaccination programmes, was asked to re-examine eligibility for the MenB vaccination programme. As we await full JCVI assessment, I have decided to offer vaccination as a one-off, targeted programme to the group at highest immediate risk from MenB this autumn. In line with the JCVI’s assessment of the relative priority, I have made this decision now to ensure that vaccination will be available from July to mitigate risk from the start of the new academic year in September.
People currently in the year 13 age group in England and Wales—those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008—will be eligible for vaccination. All people within this date of birth range will receive this offer irrespective of their education plans. Comparable approaches will be taken in Northern Ireland and Scotland for their equivalent school years, year 14 and S6 respectively.
People under 25 years of age attending higher education or living at some residential further education settings for the first time in the 2026-2027 academic year will also be eligible for vaccination. Based on the available data, the UK Health Security Agency estimated that the relative risk of invasive MenB disease in first-year university students is substantially greater than in their peers. Postgraduates or those starting a second—or later—year will not be covered by this offer, as we are prioritising those at highest immediate risk this autumn. I am encouraging international students who are coming to the UK to study to have at least a first dose before travelling to the UK to ensure both doses can be received before the expected peak of disease in October and November.
MenB vaccination protects only the recipient. The MenB vaccine is highly effective: vaccine effectiveness is estimated to be between 85% to 95%. MenB outbreaks will still occur, but vaccination will better protect those at the highest immediate risk.
The JCVI is updating its assessment of the appropriate eligibility for routine MenB vaccination, which will be provided to Ministers in due course. I will consider that advice before making any longer-term decisions regarding MenB vaccination.
Two doses of the MenB vaccination are required for protection. Further information on how to access the vaccine will be published in the coming weeks. I strongly encourage eligible people to come forward from late July to receive both doses before the new academic year. The offer will be available across all four UK nations.
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